Date: December 5, 2024
Venue: Sungai Ara Kawaii Wan Ching Yuen (SAKWCY)
__________________

We were delighted to welcome Venerable Pannyavaro to SAKWCY where he led a session attended by approximately 20 participants, including lay Buddhists, senior citizens, and committee members from SAKWCY.

Special guests, Sis Gladys and her husband Bro Stephen, who were visiting Penang, also attended. They had been invited by the President of SAKWCY, Venerable Zhen Nian.

The session commenced with an introduction to Venerable Pannyavaro by emcee Sis Ooi.
Due to time constraints, Venerable Pannyavaro opted for a Q&A session rather than a full meditation training. He encouraged those interested to join the upcoming Meditation Workshop scheduled for December 8, 2024, at Than Hsiang Temple from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Key Highlights of Venerable’s Sharing:
1. Personal Spiritual Journey
• Venerable briefly recounted his experiences of studying Buddhism and meditation across different countries including Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Myanmar for nearly a decade.
• He shared how encountering Sayadaw U Pandita and learning Vipassana meditation in the Mahasi tradition significantly impacted him and became his primary practice.

2. Q&A Session Key Insights:
• Stretching Before Meditation: Stretching exercises are not necessary, as meditation focuses on the mind rather than the body.
• Samatha vs. Vipassana Meditation: Samatha meditation develops concentration but cannot alone lead to insight or liberation from suffering. Vipassana meditation is essential for developing insight for self-transformation.
• Importance of Guidance: Beginners should learn Vipassana meditation under the guidance of an experienced meditation master.
• Practice Over Theory: Transformation requires intensive and prolonged meditation practice rather than just theoretical knowledge.

The session concluded with a transference of merit, led by Venerable Pannyavaro, as an act of sharing the spiritual benefits of the session. This was followed by a heartfelt offering of a fruit basket and a navakama containing contributions from the participants, as a token of gratitude to Venerable Pannyavaro.

The session was enriching and provided participants with a deeper understanding of meditation, its practical applications, and the importance of dedicated practice. Attendees expressed gratitude for Venerable’s presence and teachings.
Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu!

******************
Spread the Buddha's teachings to guide more people to study Buddhism.

Continue diligently in the path studying the Buddha's teachings and listening to the Dharma.

Follow us on:
https://linktr.ee/thanhsiang